EASTENDERS actress Alice Haig revealed exactly what her predecessor as Vicki Fowler said to her after taking on the role.
Alice, 40, assumed the role of returning character Vicki earlier this year.
Alice Haig began playing EastEnders’ Vicki Fowler earlier this year[/caption]
The actress spoke to The Sun at this year’s British Soap Awards[/caption]
Previous Vicki actress Scarlett Alice Johnson reached out to Alice[/caption]
She took over from previous star Scarlett Alice Johnson, who played the part over 20 years ago.
Speaking to The Sun at the British Soap Awards, Alice confirmed her predecessor had reached out.
She told us: “Scarlett sent me a beautiful email wishing me luck and being incredibly kind.
“It was a lovely thing to get. She said it’s great fun playing Vicki Fowler and I couldn’t agree more.”
The Sun previously told how Scarlett turned down the chance to reprise her role as Vicki.
Bosses of EastEnders had hoped to win Scarlett back after her portrayal of Vicki developed a cult following online – two decades after her last appearance.
The actress originally took on the role in 2003 but left once again just a little over a year later and hasn’t been seen since.
A spokesperson for Scarlett told The Sun: “Scarlett was approached, and was flattered to be asked to return, but the timing wasn’t right for her to step back into the role.
“She wishes Alice Haig and the show all the very best”.
Meanwhile, Alice also told us at the Soap Awards: “In all honesty, I think in soap world we suspend our disbelief. We’re changing actors.
“Once you’re bedded in for a bit, you are the character and you do what you do.
“I think what I’m really interested in is trying to find flavours of Michelle – her mum.
“As opposed to trying to copy Scarlett, who was fantastic and her own person.
“It’s much better to be who you are and to try and play it as truthfully as you can, for you.”
Soap characters who’ve been recast
Soap operas are staple viewing for many people, but even some of the most famous characters have been played by different actors. Here are some examples from over the years.
- Tracy Barlow: Kate Ford took on the role of Corrie legend Tracy Barlow in 2002. Before Kate, three other actresses had played Tracy – most notably Dawn Acton from 1988 to 1999.
- Nick Tilsley: Ben Price has been playing Gail’s oldest child in 2009, but the former Footballers’ Wives star is the third actor to take on the part.
- Sarah Platt: Although Tina O’Brien debuted as Sarah Platt in 1999, she is the third actress who has played the iconic role of Sarah Platt.
- David Platt: Completing the line-up of Gail’s children, David was initially played by Thomas Ormson for a decade before Jack P. Shepherd took over.
- Daniel Osbourne: For almost a decade, the role of Ken Barlow’s son Daniel has been portrayed by actor Rob Mallard. Before Rob joined, two other actors had previously played Daniel.
- Bethany Platt: Fans know Lucy Fallon as Bethany nowadays but before her, three other actresses had stepped into the character’s shoes.
- Kirk Sutherland: Before Andy Whyment took on the role of Kirk, he played by an uncredited actor in his very first appearance.
- Todd Grimshaw: Gareth Pierce stepped into the role of Todd back in 2020, becoming the second performer to play this part.
- Summer Spellman: Harriet Bibby became the second actress to play Summer, taking over the role from Matilda Freeman in 2020.
- Ryan Connor: Ryan Prescott currently plays the long-running character, but Ben Thompson and Sol Heras had earlier portrayed the role.
- Martin Fowler: Although Martin was the first baby born on-screen in EastEnders, he hasn’t always been played by the same person. His current portrayer, James Bye, is the third actor to star as the character.
- Peter Beale: Seven actors have portrayed Ian Beale’s elder son, with the current actor, Thomas Law, in his second stint as the character.
- Ben Mitchell: Ben has been played by a total of six actors – with Max Bowden bowing out of the role in March 2024.
- Bobby Beale: Before Clay Milner Russell, Ian’s younger son had been played by four other actors.
- Freddie Slater: Bobby’s best mate, Freddie Slater, had been previously played by twins Alex and Tom Kilby before Bobby Brazier took over in 2022.
- Chelsea Fox: Former Coronation Street actress Zaraah Abrahams took over the role of Chelsea in 2020. The character had been first played by Tiana Benjamin from 2006 to 2010.
- Lauren Branning: Jacqueline Jossa took on the role of Lauren in 2010, succeeding Madeline Duggan who’d played her from 2006 to 2010.
- Johnny Carter: Johnny has been played by three actors since debuting in 2013 – most recently, Charlie Suff has taken on the role.
Acting appears to run in Alice’s family, as the new star has a famous film star dad.
Upon Vicki’s return to Albert Square, she was joined by new partner Ross and his teenage son Joel.
Viewers discovered she had broken up with long-term love Spencer Moon off-screen.
EastEnders airs on BBC One and iPlayer.
Vicki has a new partner, Ross Marshall[/caption]
